New Delhi
5 August 2005
The African Union has dealt a fatal blow to New Delhi's hopes of
securing a permanent berth in an expanded United Nations Security Council by insisting
on veto powers and not identifying itself with the resolution drafted by the G-4 countries
including India.
India responded on Friday by expressing "regret" over the African Union's decision. A
statement put out by the Ministry of External Affairs read, "It is a matter of regret that the
Extraordinary African Union Summit [could not] endorse an AU/G4 draft Framework
Resolution, based on the understanding arrived at between the G-4 foreign ministers and
the representatives of the AU, in London on July 25, 2005. India has noted the decision
of the AU Summit and will, in close consultation with G-4 members, continue to engage
African countries with a view to promoting a common understanding."
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Mr Navtej Sarna, said External Affairs
Minister Natwar Singh has already spoken to the foreign ministers of Brazil, Germany
and Japan and they have agreed to remain in touch to review the situation arising out of
the decision taken at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa. "The G-4 countries reaffirmed their
solidarity and will continue to act in unity to promote the cause of UN reform, including
UNSC reform," he added.
In their meeting in Addis Abba, the 53-member AU decided to stick to their demand for a
veto-wielding permanent seat on the UN Security Council as against the G-4 formula
proposing a 15-year freeze on veto.
Now there are three resolutions on the table. Besides the G-4 resolution, there are also
the Uniting for Consensus (UFC) led by Pakistan and Italy and the AU resolutions.
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